Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”
In reading the Lord’s prayer, I struggle understanding the first part “and lead us not into temptation” and the reason is this, James 1:13 tells us ” Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone“.
This is a clear indication that God does not tempt anyone and He cannot be tempted with evil. Yes He may allow temptations to come but He is not the author of it. Then how do we explain Matthew 4:1,”Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil”. If God is not tempted and Jesus was God, how is it that He was led of the Holy Spirit, not demonic spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil? He was in the wilderness as God Man and the bible says He was tempted in all manner. While still at it, mark that the bible does not say that while he was in the wilderness, the devil tempted Him, no, He was led there to be tempted. And the temptation did not come to Him in His strong moments, it came in to Him in His weak moments as a Man.
God Himself is never the agent of temptation (James 1:13), but here as in the book of Job God uses even satanic tempting to serve His sovereign purposes. And for Christ to be tempted is an indication that we will not be immuned to trials and temptations. Of course no one wants to be tempted and tried, but it has its place in our lives and can serve God’s purposes for His glory depending on how we handle it. Remember Christ was tempted in all points (Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 2:16); Satan tempted Him with “the lust of the flesh” (Matthew 4:2, 3); “the lust of the eyes” (Matthew 4:8, 9); and “the pride of life” (Matthew 4:5, 6). These are the same three temptations we all face in our lives, summed up in these three: the Flesh, the World, and the Devil
Jesus was tempted in all manner yet without sin. Here is a Martin Luther quote to make this point clear “YOU CAN’T STOP BIRDS FROM FLYING OVER YOUR HEAD BUT YOU CAN KEEP THEM FROM BUILDING A NEST IN YOUR HAIR.” In other words, you can’t stop temptations from coming your way but you can stop them from dwelling in you and taking control over you. God has to be our help in this area.
It is by temptation that we are tried and educated; yet we are justified in praying to our Father not to lead us into temptation so long as we live with childlike submission, to His loving will the means by which our faith is to be strengthened and our spiritual life purified and ennobled. We are not to go willingly into temptation, the reason it’s a battle. The temptation itself is not sin, but we fear that we may sin through it. 1Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”
It’s through temptation that we see areas we are more vulnerable to and we cry to God to deliver us from it. It’s in our weakness that He is strong, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. Think of it this way, what has been manufactured is taken through tests to see how ready it is to be used. If they find that it’s not ready in specific areas, they take it back to the shop for more development Thank God that through temptations, He is growing us more in holiness.
when we therefore pray, “Lead us not into temptation” it’s like saying, :”Lord, I know that temptations will come my way to serve your sovereign purposes and I know I am vulnerable to temptations for my flesh is craving to sin with it present, yet I pray that I will not be stubborn to push aside everything and yield my flesh into the sin in the temptation and YOU LET ME HAVE MY WAY“. The last thing anyone wants is to hear God say, “have it your way”. James 4:7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded”
“BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL” is the process of knowing God’s power, we ask Him to deliver us from the evil that is in the temptation, relying upon His promise that He will not suffer us to be tried above what we are able to handle, but with every temptation will He provide us a way of escape. Everyone is vulnerable to some kind of temptations and no one is exempt from it. The first thing is knowing where we are and desiring God to bring us out of it while yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 2Corinthians 10:4-, Philippians 2:13-14, Job 23:10. blessings Ev
He Has Magnified His Word 